Recombinomics
CommentaryFebruary 17, 2006The death of at least 400
chickens, turkeys and geese in Niger - which shares a 1,500-kilometre
border with bird-flu-infected Nigeria - has government officials
scurrying to prevent the spread of the deadly virus.

Niger authorities banned the
importation of all poultry and poultry products, reinforced border
patrols and launched a public awareness campaign, after the H5N1 virus
was confirmed in Nigeria. The discovery of the dead birds near the town
of Magaria in Niger's southern Zinder region days later prompted the
government to reinforce its efforts and ask for international help with
testing for the virus.

The above comments suggest H5N1 is also in Niger. The location is
close to the Nigerian border (see map),
but as additional countries in Europe,
the Middle
East, and Africa report confirmed cases of H5N1, it is becoming
increasingly clear that H5N1 has infected wild birds and poultry along
the migratory paths. In addition to neighboring Nigeria, Egypt
has now confirmed H5n1 and it is suspected in Mauritania at its border
with Senegal. WHO has also expressed concern that Mali, which is
between Niger and Mauritania, also has H5N1 infections.

More surveillance in these countries would identify the extent of the
infections, but finding H5N1 in these countries is not a surprise.